Whats up with my MPG!

[Shortfin]

I know this topic must always come up but just recently I bought a 97 X it has only 85K on it, I was told I could get 25 mpg on the high way.

But I seems to get only 17 at best and 12 city driving. Just after I bought it I got all the fluids change and a tune up.

What more can I do?

What is Over Drive O/D and should I always drive with it on? Could that effect MPG.

Any any would be great.

Thanks Aron

 

[Shurup]

FIrst of all what is your X?
No way you get 25 mpg even if your is 4.0L. 25 is unreal for X.
Your MPG seems normal.
Drive with O/D on. You will get better MPG.

 

[stretch]

First off: Welcome to the boards!
Check Aldive's quest for 30 thread- Dead Link Removed -to get some pointers on how to get better gas mileage. But please realise, 30MPG is NOT normal, 12/17MPG is about average for these vehicles, they are heavy. Just do a searsch for MPG and you'll find a wealth of info. And like Shurup said, leave OD on, unless you're towing a heavy load or driving up some steep grades. Also, for future reference, list what year and engine X you have so others assisting you can be more accurate in their response.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Is it a 2dr or 4dr? 2WD or 4WD?? Whoever told you you could get 25mpg regularly from an Ex was smoking something. Sure they didn't mean KM/gallon??

 

[Stig]

Speaking of Mileage... I have 5600 miles on my 02' X Sport 4x2... 3.73rear... I am getting wonderful mileage... The last two tanks have been 20mpg to 21.3mpg and the tank before that was 19.5mpg.... 5 speed Manual helps, but this is mixed probably 80/20 .
I found the sweet spot for highway driveing to be at 78/79mph... turns 2800rpm or so. I am stoked!!!!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Shurup
No way you get 25 mpg even if your is 4.0L. 25 is unreal for X..

That is simply not true.

 

[DonM]

Yeah, that's not true!

Last year I was getting great gas mileage, about 21mpg regulary.

This winter it had dropped nearly in half, I was getting about 14-15 regulary. In the last two months I have installed a K&N intake kit, Apten Chip, and a BBK 66mm TB. I thought for sure, I would get better gas mileage with the new mods. I was wrong! Very little change was made.

However, Iv had some starting problems with my Ex since January. Which I believe is causing my poor fuel economy? Im going to replace my Fuel Pump on Tuesday. Im certain this will fix the problem?

 

[Texan01]

I've gotten a best of 24mpg out of my 95 4dr. A lot of things factor into economy and the biggest impact is easing into the gas instead of stabbing it.

My usual mpg is 17-18 in town and 20-24 on the highway.

Check your alignment, and realize that a 4000 pound box on wheels isn't going to get Geo Metro mileage.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by DonM
Yeah, that's not true!

Last year I was getting great gas mileage, about 21mpg regulary.

This winter it had dropped nearly in half, I was getting about 14-15 regulary. In the last two months I have installed a K&N intake kit, Apten Chip, and a BBK 66mm TB. I thought for sure, I would get better gas mileage with the new mods. I was wrong! Very little change was made.

However, Iv had some starting problems with my Ex since January. Which I believe is causing my poor fuel economy? Im going to replace my Fuel Pump on Tuesday. Im certain this will fix the problem?

That big a drop could be O2 sensor related.

 

[XplorerKid]

yea well mines a 1991 and the best i got was jsut this weekend at 14 mpg on the HWY no city


PEACE

 

[DonM]

Originally posted by aldive
That big a drop could be O2 sensor related.

Shouldnt be, the are only but 6 months old.

 

[Slick Rick]

It shouldn't be an O2 problem. If it was, your CEL would have gone off.

 

[Slick Rick]

It shouldn't be an O2 problem. If it was, your CEL would have gone off.


One thing that I think a whole lot of people don't put into concideration is engine type. Along with driving style, and maintence( this includes mods that help with MPG, including synthetic fluids ). The more powerful engines such as the SOHC engine can get better MPG than the OHV engine, due to the fact that it's more powerful. A ton of fuel is used just to get that thing moving. It's over 4000lbs , which is more than some full size trucks. The more powerful engines don't have to work as hard to get the Explorer going than the 4.0 ohv engine. And most people have the 4.0 ohv engine.


It just depend on a whole lot of different circumstances, this being one. Like wise the SOHC engine could get worse MPG than the OHV, I am just saying that it's something that should be taken into consideration.

 

[RFR2212]

out 5.0 has seen 21.5+ mpg on the road, 17+ mpg w/ 5 adults and a fully loaded rear, to and from Fla from Chicago... that was AWD too

just my 2 cents

 

[DaHeinah]

I have a 1st gen X with the 4.0 OHV and I get about 17 city and 20 highway. Alot of my buddies with X's get about 14 mpg, of course they floor it at every light
O/D is a great tool to achieve a better mpg rating.
Hope everything works out in the end and welcome!
Greg

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Slick Rick
It shouldn't be an O2 problem. If it was, your CEL would have gone off.

Thsat statement is not always true. I have had serious O2 sensor problems with NO CEL. See Dead Link Removed

 

[MyExpWork]

I've got a 91 XLT 4door 4X4 with 168,000 miles. I changed a two things.

1. Drastically changed driving habits
2. Mobil 1 Synthetic engine oil.

Gas mileage went from abount 15.5 (50/50 driving) to 18.5 which is pretty normal.

You should be able to get the same results. I think changing driving habits will help the most.

Aldive, I am thinking of switching the tranny and rear diff to synthetic. Think this will help anymore?

Brian

 

[Shortfin]

My MPG

How do I know if I have a SOHC engine or a OHV engine?

Can you phone FORD with the vehicle number and get a write up about your car?

I tow my 1400lb boat every weekend should I turn O/D off when I do that?

When your talking driving habits are you talking speeding around?

I just got my O2 fixed, so it shouldn't be that.

I live in toronto and this winter has been really cold, has that been a issue?

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Shurup]

Shortfin
Do you know anything about your truck? V6 or V8? Just open the hood and take a look at the engine. I thing it should be written on the enging if it SOHC or OHV.

 

[Shurup]

I don't think FORD would even care answering this question.
Leave OD off if you tow something heavy.